Colombo, Oct. 19 (Daily Mirror) - Claiming that certain groups were engaged in provoking religious and racial tensions in the country again, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday vowed that the National People’s Power (NPP) government will not allow attempts to reignite religious and racial tensions in the country, pledging to protect national harmony and prevent the nation from facing such dangers again.
Addressing the NPP women’s rally in Badulla yesterday, the President said certain groups in both the North and South were unwilling to accept the country’s growing national harmony and were attempting to provoke racism and communal clashes.
He stressed that the government would not allow racist or extremist groups to regain political power or re-emerge as influential forces in the country.
The President alleged that conspiracies were being orchestrated against the government at a time when it was working to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people. He said previous governments may have fallen victim to such schemes, but the NPP administration would not allow itself to be derailed by similar attempts.
He also claimed that certain groups were attempting to stir up public unrest through two television channels in response to the government’s crackdown on corruption, drug trafficking and organised crime.
The President said individuals who had previously benefited from corrupt practices, drug networks and organised criminal activities were increasingly concerned about the government’s efforts to dismantle these operations.
The President said old racist elements who are unable to discuss democracy, economic development, education, fraud or corruption were now making claims that the nation was in danger.
“Although there is no unrest at the grassroots level, certain groups are attempting to fuel it artificially through these two television channels,” he said.
He added that, unlike previous administrations, the NPP government had to confront alleged conspiracies while simultaneously governing the country and implementing its programmes.